Timetable changes for Southern Rail passengers

Rail passengers in West Sussex are being asked to check before they travel as Southern Rail introduces a new timetable from Sunday.

Following the latest Government guidance on how to travel safely while using public transport, Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR)- who owns Southern Rail - has implemented changes to its services which will be in force until further notice.

The introduction of a new timetable means that services and train times will change and passengers will need to check before they travel by visiting the National Rail website here.

📢⏰Train times will change from Sunday 17 May. It's vital that you follow government guidelines on permitted travel and only use public transport if you have no other means of completing your journey.

The Government advice sets out that if people cannot work from home and have to travel for work, they should first consider alternatives to public transport.

For those who have to use public transport, the guidance for passengers on how to travel safely recommends:

Keeping 2 metres apart from others wherever possible

Wearing a face covering if you can

Using contactless payment where possible

Avoiding rush hour travel where feasible

Washing or sanitising your hands before and after travel

Following advice from staff and being considerate to others

To help maintain social distancing some extra services will be running and passengers may be asked to queue to enter some larger, busier stations.

It has advised that people leave extra time for their journeys. In the coming days, more information will be available as GTR finalises its plans.

“Please listen to the latest Government advice and only travel if you have no other alternative.

"We ask that customers work with us by respecting the requirements for social distancing and personal hygiene so that we can help everyone who needs to travel or who is working on the railway stay safe and well.

"I would like to thank our own key worker colleagues who have shown great fortitude in keeping the railway running and supporting our passengers who must travel.”

Steve White, GTR’s Chief Operating Officer

“We’re so proud of the role we’ve played with GTR in keeping people in the South East moving through this crisis and this next step is just as much of a challenge for us both.

“Our station teams are working closely on plans to keep passengers and staff safe as we see more people coming back to work and we will be watching passenger numbers carefully to adapt the way we manage trains and stations.”

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